Friction shock absorbing mechanism



Aug. 9, 1932. s. B. HASELTINE FRICTION SHOCK ABSORBING MECHANISM Original Filed Aug. 2, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet l 5' aywdw M i, (4 W ma ZEZQL/ i I g- 1932- s. B. HASELTINE 1,871,368

FRICTION SHOCK ABSORBING MECHANISM Original Filed Aug. 2, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I 12067151" .ilyfijyaielfirze WM I 5 By M Original application filed August 2, 1923, Serial No.

Patented Aug. '9, 1932 Y'UNITED STATES srAoY HASELTINE'O]? CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, Ass renon 'ro w. H1 MINER: major CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF,DELAWARE FRICTION SHOCK ABsoaBIive MECHANISM 1928; Serial This invention relates to improvements in friction shock absorbing mechanisms.

This application is a division of applicants co-pending application for friction shock absorbing mechanisms, Serial No. 655,223, filed August2, 1923.

One object of the invention is to provide a friction shock absorbing mechanism, es-

pecially adapted for railway draft riggings,

comprising friction means including a plurality of intercalated friction elements which are moved longitudinally with respect to each other to create friction therebetween to afford resistance of high capacity, together with means for placing the friction means under lateral pressure, wherein the pressure between the elements composing the friction means is equalized by providing curved, cooperating surfaces on certain of the elements.

Another object of the invention is to provide a friction shock absorbing mechanism of the character indicated, including a col umn element, a plurality of relatively movable friction elementscooperating with the column element, wherein the cooperating friction surfaces of the column and the ad iacent element are curved to permit auto-- matic adjustment of the parts, together with means for pressing the friction element's against each other and against the friction surface of the column.

A more specific object of the invention is v to provide a shock absorbing mechanism ineluding a cylindrical friction post, a plurality of intercalated, tubular, hollow friction elements surrounding the post and having frictional engagement therewith, together with means for eflecting relative movement 1 of the friction elements with respect to each 655,223. Divided and thisapplication filed Jane naasaaos.

the underframe structure of a railway car,

PATENT ,orr cs illustrating my improvements in connection therewith." Figure 2 is a verticaLtransverse sectional view, corresponding substantially to the line 2''2 of Figure 1, the draftsills' being omitted in this view. Figure 3 is a longitudinal, diagonal sectional view, corre-- sponding substantially to the line 33 of Figure 2. And Figure 4 is a detailedper spective View of a wedgemember, employed in connection with my improved mechanism.

In said drawings, 10-10 indicate theusual channel-shaped center or draft sills of a rail way car underframe, to the inner sides of which aresecured front stop lugs 1111 and rear stop'lugs 1212. The inner end portion of the coupler shank is designated by 13, to which is connected a hooded yoke 14 of well lInOWn form, I i My improved shock absorbing mechanism 1s disposed within the yoke and the yoke is supported by a detachable saddle plate ,15, secured to the bottom flanges of the'draft sills".

My improved shock absorbing mechanism comprises, broadly, front and rear followers A-A; front and rear sets of wedge blocks B'B, each set comprising four blocks; apair" of front and a pair of rear friction shoes C -C a central friction post D ;'tw0 tubular frictionelements EE and two tubular friction elements H'H; front and'rearrestoring bars FF: and a main spring resistance G comprising four springelementsfl f The front and rearfollowers A are of Sim-- ilar construction, each; comprising a main plate-like section having" inwardly extending, spaced top and bottom flanges -1616 and vertically disposed, inwardly extending,

spaced side flanges 1717. I The plate like sections of the main followers A cooperate respectively with the front stop lugs 11 and the rear stop lugs 12. i I

The wedge blocks B, which are eight in number, are arranged in sets at the front and rear end of the mechanism, each set being housed within one of the main followers-A.

As mostclearlyshow'n in Figures 1, 2 and 3,

the blocks B are disposed in-the corners of the followersA. As will' be evident, the wedge blocks are thus arranged in diagonally The friction shoes which are 'four in number, are arranged in pairs at opposite ends of the mechanism. Each fr ction shoe is provided with a pair of wedge fac'es19 dis posedrat the top and bottom thereof and cooperating respectively withthe wedge faces 18 of the two wedge blocks at the same side of the unechanism. 1011 the inner side, each f rictionwshoe C is gprovided with a curved, longitudinall-yextending friction surface 20 V which cooperates with the outermost of the tubular friction elements E, as hereinafter more :clearly :pointed out. At the inner end, each shoe presents a transversely disposed, fiat abutment face which ibears :on the corresponding ends of two of the coils of the mainaspringiresistanceFG.'

Theff-rietion post :1) is the form of a cylindrical Thar, asimost clearly illustrated in Ei-gure 2, and is intenposed loetweenthe front and rear followers 1- and is arranged centrally ofthe mechanism. The post ED .is of such a length that the front and rear ends thereof are normally spaced from the front and rear followers. A. Asshown Figure 3, the front end of the post D is spacedia short distance fnomethe end walleof the frontfollower A, while the :rear end of the post is spaced a much greater distance from the. transverse end'wallfofstherear followerh- Atihe for elements-gEandfI-liis open at one side,ias in- -d1cated at 122, :thercby providing a "long? wardend, the pest-D is :provided with a transrerse opening 21, adapted to accommodate the front restoring bar .F. At the rear end,-the post is transversely slotted, as

catedatr22,-tonccommodatelthe rearrestoring banfor sliding movement.

As shown in c-Figure .3, the opening 21, whichaecommodates-the front restoring bar, is (of such a .ilength as to permit :a certain amount of vrelative movement of-the postand bar. clearance is left so as to insure engagement iOf-th-B post-by the front follower during the compression of the mechanism, afterethe initial action thereof. The slot 22 a-tthe rearsend-ofthe post isof such a length as (to gaermitengagement of ,thexpost [at both ends by "the main followers before the restoring bar {comes into-engagement with the inner end wall of the slot.

The friction 1 elements are four in number and surround the post--13. As, shown, vthe friction elements are of cylindrical tubular formand are :telescoped-with each other so as to provide .-a pluralityof intercalated frictionwelements, Each of the tubular friction have the slots thereof arranged on opposite sides of the post. The tubular friction elements are'arranged n groups, one group 1n-v eluding elements and the other group the elements H H, the elements E being alternated with the elements H. The friction elements E have thefront ends thereof spaced slightly from the transverse end wall of the front follower A, while. the friction elements ffhave'the rear ends thereof spaced slightly from thetransverse end wall of the rear follower A.

The tubular elements are ofsuch a length, as clearly shown in Figures land 8, that the. rear ends of the elements E are spaced such adistance from the end wallof the rear fol- 1 lower as to permit full-compression of the mechanism during operation of the same. The friction elements Hare of the same length and have the frontends thereof also spaced a similar distancefrom the transverse end wall of the front follower A to permit full compression-of the mechanism. The post D and the tubular elements E and preferably .aremade-of thesame length, so. that when the mechanism is fully compressed the opposite ends ofthe post and the friction elements will be engaged simultaneouslyby the front and rear followers A, the postand friction elements thus acting as ,a solid column to limit thecompression of the main spring resistance and transmit the actuating force d rectly to the fStOP *lug-s of "the draft sills. V J v I The restoring ibarsLF,-which are arranged atthe front-and rear ends of.the' mechanism, extend through aligned openings 23-23 in alternate members of the tubular friction elements E, the friction elements H being provided at theirfront ends with relatively long slots 247-24 which accommodate the retaining bars for movement." The slots 24 are of suchalength-as to permit full movement of the friction elements during compression of thefmechanism. The bar at the front end of the friction post is so arranged as to effectrestoration of the ,postto normal position, the bar extending through the transverse opening 21 provided in the post. At the rearend, the friction elements H are provided with similar openings-23 "which accommodate the'rear restoring bar, the friction elements E beingprovidedwith slots 24: at their rear ends similar to the slots ofthe friction elements H. i a As shown, theopenings of the tubular members-are of such asize to permitsli-ght longitudinal displacement ofthe restoring bars F with respect tovsa-id elernents, The

mentsE will-be engaged'by the front follower-I opening 21 of the postis ofsubstantiallythe same size as the openings 23, thus permitting a certain amount of relative movement between this bar and the post. i

The'oppo'site ends of the front and rear restoring bars Fare seated in'pocketsQG-ZG provided in the friction'shoes C, the pockets 26 also being of such a size asto oermit of a slight relativemovement between the restoring bars and the shoes. 4 r 3 I "As clearly shown in gure .1, the front restoring bar F- normally engages thefront end walls of the openings 23 of the tubular elements and has the rear edge thereof abutting the inner end walls of-the pockets 26 of the friction shoes: at-the corresponding end of, the mechanism. The rear restoring bar F-has the rear edge thereof normally in engagement-with the outer end walls ofthe openings atthe rear ends of the friction elements and the front edge thereof bearing on the inner end walls of-thev pockets 26 of the rear friction shoes C. i

The spring resistance G comprises four spring units arranged in pairs at opposite sides of the mechanism. As clearly illustrated in Figures. 1, 2, and 3, the two units at each side-of the mechanism have their opposite ends bearing respectively on the front and rear friction shoes at the" same side of the mechanism.

In order to hold the mechanism assemble-d and maintainthesame ofioverall uniform.

length, I employ a pair of retainer bolts 9 2727 arranged centrally of the mechanism and disposed above and below the tubular friction elements. As shown, the front and rear followers are'provided'with pockets for receiving the heads and nuts. of the retainer bolts The retainer bolts,'in addition to holding the mechanism assembled, also maintain the spring resistance G under initial'compression. I i i The operation of'my impr ved shock absorbing mechanism, during a buffing stroke,

is as follows: The front follower A will be forced inwardly of the mechanism, carrying the front set of friction shoes C therewith, in ward movement of the shoes being resisted by thesprings G. .LJUG to the wedging action of the engaging wedge faces of the wedge blocks andshoes, the shoes will beforced laterally inwardlv against the tubular friction ele-- ments E and H, thereby pressing the same int-ointimate contact and into tight frictional engagement with the friction post D, During the first part of the compression stroke, there will be no appreciable movement of the post and friction elements E, due to the clearance provided between the follower and the front endsof the friction elements ltl and the post \y hen the clearance between the follower andthe friction elements and post has been taken up, the post and friction eleandimoved rea'rwardly :of the mechanism, Due'to the friction existing between the post and the friction elements,the friction elements H are carried rearwardly until the rear ends of the same comeiin engagementwith the rear main follower A, whereupon movement of the samewill be arrested.

During-the remainder ofthe compression stroke, the friction elements H-will beheld substantially stationary. As will be evident, the clearance between the restoring bars and the inner end walls ofthe openings23 of the friction elements permits of the preliminary action described, without any substantial movement of the post and friction elements. The pressure .is transmitted through the spring resistance G to the rear friction shoes C, therebyflalso setting up a wedging action on thefriction elements Hi and the post will slide; on the inner friction element H, thereby greatly augmenting the resistance. The compression of the 'mechanism will continue either-until the actuating force is reduced or until the rear. endsof the friction elements E and therear end of the post engage the transverse end wall of the rear followerA, whereupon relative movement of the followers will be arrested and the pressure will be transmitted directly. through the-post and friction elements from one follower to the other, thereby preventing undue compression of the spring resistance G, the friction post and friction element-s together acting as a solid column load-transmitting member to transmit the, force to the stop lugs of the draftsills, t r

During a draft action, the rear follower willbe moved forwardly while the front follower is held stationary, the action during thelcompression stroke being substantially the same as that described in connection withthebuiiing stroke, with theexception that the friction post andfriction elements E are held stationary upon engaging the transverse end wall of the front follower A, and the friction elements H are moved relatively tothe fric-- tion post and friction elements E during the further compression of the gear,

Duringrelease, when the actuating force is reduced, the expansive action of the spring resistance G will force the friction shoes apart, thereby carrying the restoring bars F outwardly, the barsin turn moving the fricion-.elements'E and H apart and also moving the post outwardly until the sameand the friction elementssare restored to the normal position shown in F iguresl and'3.

As willbe evident, dueto the clearance independently of the ifriction elements After the clearance has been taken between the inner-end walls of the pockets and the restoring bars, :the .bars will :be forced outwardly, carrying. the friction elements and :the post-to their normal position.

As;hereinbefore described anda's shown in Figure 2, the friction shoes- C havefthe curved inner surfacesthereof of a radius iless than the curvature of the friction surface of the adjacent friction element E. Bytthis ar rangemendproper contact between the friction shoes and friction element E is assured, the initial contact before pressure is applied being :at the outer edges of the curved face ofthe friction vshoe. Then the lateral pressure is applied to the friction shoes, the coacting curved surfaces of the outer friction element IE and the shoes are forced to conform to each other. Itwill be evident that this prevents ,l ine Contact bet-ween the .shoes andtubnlar friction element,'wIhich. -1nigrhtresultif the co-acting frictionsnrfaces were 'made of'precisely the same curvature.

From the preceding description, taken in connection with the drawings, it "will be evidentgtha't I have provided a friction shock absorbing :mechanis'm of :high .zcapacity, wherein thefriction surfaces of theacooper-a'ting elements, includingthe'frictionshoes-are cylindrical; so that .the parts may automatically adjust themselves to assure proper-contact between :all: of the friction surfaces and also proper-.contact between the wedge faces of. the friction ShOBSjfilId wedge iblOCkS.

'Whilel'have herein shownand described 7 what consider the preferredimaimer-oficar- Iclaimz:

rying out :my invention, thesame :is merely illustrative andfI contemplate a'l'l changes and modifications that come within jithe *scope 0f the'claims.appendedihereto. f

- '1.-- In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with :a migid, cylindrical :friction post extending lengthwise :o f the mechanism; of Vaiplura-lity of intercalated, tubular friction elements of curved cross sec tion, extending lengthwise of the mechanism and *embracingthepostand :having frictional contacttherewith, said elements being relative-ly movable; means for effecting relative movement of :-said elements; means actuated by said'llast lnained. means-for (placing the friction elements underzlaterail pressure-and amines forcingtheisameagainstithe post; andiazmain 7 spring assistance.

2.111 :a-firii: 'on shock ahsorbingsmechanism,'the combinaztionswn'th a 'longritndinal ly spring resistance; and means for effecting relaive movement of said elements.

.In a friction shook a'bsonbing me'c'hnh ni-sm, the combination with :a longitudinaliy disposed cylindrical friction post; of a plurality :o'f interoalated, long-itudinal'ly split, tubular friction -elements surrounding the post, said elements being-relatively movafble means for'efiecting relative movement-of said elements; lateral' ly, inwardly acting wedge means ffriction shoes interposed between said wedge means and elements; and *a =main spring resistance.

4. In a friction shock absorbing meohanism, the combination with a central rigid friction post; of friction shoes at opposite sides of the post; laterally, inwardly acting wedge means cooperating with *the shoes; at

plurality of inter'calated, longitudinally extending, telescoped tubular fridtione'lements inter-posed between the post and shoes, said shoes and tubular elementshaving cooperatingcurved surfaces; and armain'springi-re sistance. V

shock absorber comprising two relatively movable foll'owers,-a central 'long itudinal oversolid post arranged between said $61- lowers-and adapted to be engag PP'Q site ends by said tollowers, two groups of intercalated friction platesarrange'd on opposite sides of said post and-each group consisting of two sets of plates which are mowable lengzjthwise relatively to one another,

said sets of plates adapted tobe engaged at their outer ends withsa'id followers, respective'ly, "shoes engaging with the outermost.

friction plates, said post'havirig its opposite sides curved crosswise, said shoes 'ha-ving their 'inner sides curved crosswise and-said friction plates being of curved *form in cross section and having their mating sides engag- V ing wit'heac'h othera-nd with thecurvedsurfaces of said-post andshoes, means forp'ressin'g said shoes laterally, means '"lfor moving iii said plates lengthwise, and a spring resistanc'e.

6. A shock absorber-comprising .acentral longitudinal 'oversolid post, groups of intercalated friction plates arranged on opposite sides of said post, means "for -mov-ing-sa'1d plates lengthw ise relatively -to each other, means for laterally pressing said-plates and post together and releasing the same including shoes engaging "the outer-sides of said groups of plates, the cooperating surfaces of plates, post and shoes being of non-flat form; and spring resistance means disposed length- Wise of the mechanism and opposing relative movement of the plates;

7. A shock absorber comprising a central longitudinal oversolid post, groups of intercalated friction plates arranged on opposite sides of said post, means for moving said plates lengthwise relatively to each other, means for laterally pressing said plates and post together and releasing the same, including shoes engaging the outer sides of said groups of plates, the cooperating surfaces of plates, post and shoes being of non-flat form,

and-a spring resistance.

In Witness that I claim'the foregoing I or have hereunto subscribed my name this 4th day of June, 1928.

STACY B. HASELTINE. 

